Trump Administration Considers Plan to Inspect Iranian Oil Tankers at Sea

President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly exploring a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea in a bid to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Trump has made it clear that he aims to impose maximum pressure on Iran to isolate the country from the global economy and reduce its oil exports to zero, with the ultimate goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

In recent weeks, Trump has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, targeting companies and the shadow fleet of aging oil tankers that transport crude from sanctioned countries without Western insurance. These measures are in line with the limited actions taken during former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Efforts are underway to explore ways for allied countries to intercept and inspect ships passing through critical chokepoints like the Malacca Strait in Asia. This move could disrupt the delivery of crude to refineries and deter parties involved in facilitating illicit trade due to the risk of reputational damage and sanctions.

One source stated, “The delay in delivery instills uncertainty in that illicit trade network, creating a chilling effect that dissuades further involvement.”

The administration is considering conducting inspections at sea under the Proliferation Security Initiative, a multinational effort launched in 2003 to prevent the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. This mechanism could empower foreign governments to target Iran’s oil shipments upon Washington’s request, effectively disrupting Tehran’s revenue streams.

Former U.S. lead negotiator for the initiative, John Bolton, expressed support for leveraging the initiative to impede Iran’s oil exports, citing the critical role of oil revenue in funding Iran’s proliferation activities and support for terrorism.

While the White House National Security Council is reportedly exploring the feasibility of inspections at sea, it remains unclear if any signatories to the Proliferation Security Initiative have been approached to gauge their willingness to cooperate with the proposal.

Previous attempts to seize Iranian oil cargoes have elicited retaliatory responses from Iran, underscoring the potential risks associated with such actions. However, the current low oil price environment provides Trump with more leeway to block Iranian oil flows through various means, including sanctions on tanker companies and vessel seizures.

Despite the challenges posed by sanctions, Iran’s oil exports have remained substantial, generating billions in revenue through trades with China. The potential impact of aggressive U.S. actions on Iran’s oil exports could be offset by resuming oil exports from Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

In conclusion, the Trump administration’s consideration of inspecting Iranian oil tankers at sea reflects its commitment to curbing Iran’s influence and disrupting its revenue streams. The utilization of the Proliferation Security Initiative underscores the international effort to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and combat illicit trade activities.

(Source: Reuters – Reporting by Jonathan Saul in London, Jarrett Renshaw in Washington, additional reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, editing by Richard Valdmanis and David Gregorio)